I have lived most of my life in America, with interludes in Western Canada (Alberta), Scotland, India, Israel, & South Korea. You might think that Scotland would be one of the easier of these foreign countries for me to adjust to, & in many respects, you would be right. But there was one problem I encountered repeatedly in Scotland & barely at all anywhere else. What was it??

Since I'm from England, do you think it will be easier or harder for me to get the answer than someone from America? I've not been to Scotland much though...

How long were you in Scotland for? Relevant? How often did you encounter this problem when you were there? Every day? Every week? Are there other countries where you would have encountered this problem, or just Scotland? Other areas of UK? Other areas of Europe?

Posted on Thursday, June 04, 2009 - 8:32 pm: Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only) Since I'm from England, do you think it will be easier or harder for me to get the answer than someone from America? Easier. I spent a little time in England & had the problem there, too.I've not been to Scotland much though...

How long were you in Scotland for? 8 months Relevant? somewhatHow often did you encounter this problem when you were there? Every day? Every week? about 2x a month on the average, but it variedAre there other countries where you would have encountered this problem, or just Scotland? See above, I did encounter it in England, although I spent a total of only about 2 weeks there, so my experience may not have been representativeOther areas of UK? see above. I also spent a few days in Wales & did not encounter it there, but another factor may have been involved.Other areas of Europe? I'm not sure, but from what I've read, I think I might have encountered it in Russia had I gone there.

was there a problem obtaining some item? were you misunderstood? did you misunderstand others?

did this problem affect your health? your happiness? your financial situation? your work? was it an irritation? a severe problem?

would other people have the same problem? if so, what would they have in common - their nationality? their race? their gender? their hobbies? their occupation? their age? Jenburdoo (Jenburdoo) New member Username: Jenburdoo

Post Number: 1084 Registered: 5-2003

Posted on Friday, June 05, 2009 - 3:17 am: Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only) Did the problem have to do with language? no Is it a problem unique to Britain? See above--I think (but am not sure) that it would also arise in Russia. To Europe? I don't knowTo Commonwealth countries?The Commonwealth is irrel. The problem did not arise in Canada

It was an adjustment problem, right? no In the sense that a native would not have the same problem?No, a native could encounter the problem} Would any visitor encounter the same problem?No, most would not Any American visitor? ditto Any long-term visitor? ditto

was there a problem obtaining some item? nowere you misunderstood? noishdid you misunderstand others? no

did this problem affect your health? no your happiness? minimallyyour financial situation? noyour work? nowas it an irritation? yes a severe problem? no

would other people have the same problem? some would, most would not if so, what would they have in common - their nationality? no their race? notheir gender? notheir hobbies? no their occupation? no their age? yes

Posted on Friday, June 05, 2009 - 8:02 pm: Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only) so does the problem relate to age? see later answers in this series of questionsis it something that only people of a certain age might meet? yes above a certain age? yesbelow a certain age? no

does it relate to alcohol? yespharmaceuticals? novitamins? noanything that is consumed orally? yes, booze. See above

did the problem cause you some sort of time delay? nocause you to have to make an extra physioal effort? no an extra mental effort? yesishdid it cause embarrasssment? yesish

Posted on Friday, June 05, 2009 - 8:50 pm: Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only) was the problem that you didn't want to drink alcohol but that was seen as being unsocial? or worse! Puzzle regulars will know that OI hate the taste of booze & think a good drink is a milkshake or an ice cream soda. There are rarely available when I'm with friends who are drinking so I have water or orange juice. I don't call attention to this uninteresting fact (except for a puzzle!) & most people also regard it as uninteresting. . .except in Scotland, where people treated me like Carrie Nation. "Why aren't you drinking?" "Are you a teetotaler?" etc. Does Scotland have so many anti-alcohol crusaders that people assume this of anyone who just happens not to drink?

& here it is again. Puzzle regulars will know that OI hate the taste of booze & think a good drink is a milkshake or an ice cream soda. There are rarely available when I'm with friends who are drinking so I have water or orange juice. I don't call attention to this uninteresting fact (except for a puzzle!) & most people also regard it as uninteresting. . .except in Scotland, where people treated me like Carrie Nation. "Why aren't you drinking?" "Are you a teetotaler?" etc. Does Scotland have so many anti-alcohol crusaders that people assume this of anyone who just happens not to drink?

I have a medical reason that prevents me from drinking alcohol. Just say something like "my doctor said one drink could kill me because of my heart problems." Or "If I drink you'll be calling an ambulance because of the interaction with my meds."

Posted on Monday, June 08, 2009 - 9:30 am: Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only) I have a medical reason that prevents me from drinking alcohol. Just say something like "my doctor said one drink could kill me because of my heart problems." Or "If I drink you'll be calling an ambulance because of the interaction with my meds."{Bolapara (Bolapara) New member Username: Bolapara

Post Number: 765 Registered: 12-2008

Posted on Monday, June 08, 2009 - 9:30 am: Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only) I have a medical reason that prevents me from drinking alcohol. Just say something like "my doctor said one drink could kill me because of my heart problems." Or "If I drink you'll be calling an ambulance because of the interaction with my meds."Bolapara (Bolapara) New member Username: Bolapara

Post Number: 765 Registered: 12-2008

Posted on Monday, June 08, 2009 - 9:30 am: Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only) I have a medical reason that prevents me from drinking alcohol. Just say something like "my doctor said one drink could kill me because of my heart problems." Or "If I drink you'll be calling an ambulance because of the interaction with my meds." But I don't want people invading my proivacy7 by speculating about my medical problems. I usually just say what I said in the spoiler:I have the taste buds of ma 10-year-old & think a good drink is a milkshake or an ice cream soda.